American Ultra
Small-town stoner Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) spends most of his time getting high and writing a graphic novel about a superhero monkey. What Mike doesn't know is that he was trained by the CIA to be a lethal killing machine. When the agency targets him for termination, his former handler activates his latent skills, turning the mild-mannered slacker into a deadly weapon. Now, the utterly surprised Mike must use his newfound abilities to save himself and his girlfriend from getting wasted by the failed test subjects that are sent after him by the CIA.
The film struggled financially against its mid-range budget of $28.0M, earning $27.1M globally (-3% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
American Ultra (2015) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Nima Nourizadeh's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Mike Howell
Phoebe Larson
Adrian Yates
Victoria Lasseter
Laugher
Main Cast & Characters
Mike Howell
Played by Jesse Eisenberg
A stoner convenience store clerk in a small town who discovers he's a sleeper agent with lethal skills.
Phoebe Larson
Played by Kristen Stewart
Mike's devoted girlfriend who has been protecting him while hiding her own CIA past.
Adrian Yates
Played by Topher Grace
Ruthless CIA operative who wants to eliminate Mike and cover up the failed Wiseman program.
Victoria Lasseter
Played by Connie Britton
CIA handler who originally ran the Wiseman program and tries to save Mike from termination.
Laugher
Played by Walton Goggins
Psychotic asset from the Toughman program sent to kill Mike, enjoys violence and chaos.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mike Howell, a stoner cashier at a small-town convenience store, lives a simple life with his girlfriend Phoebe, suffering from anxiety and panic attacks that prevent him from leaving town.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Lasseter "activates" Mike with a coded phrase in the convenience store parking lot. Though he doesn't consciously understand it, his dormant training awakens when two assassins attack him that night.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Mike is arrested by the local police (actually CIA operation). He chooses to trust Phoebe completely, entering a world of violence and conspiracy he doesn't understand but must navigate to survive., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Adrian Yates, the CIA antagonist, escalates by deploying Laugher, another Wiseman asset and Mike's equal. The town is fully militarized. What seemed manageable becomes a siege. Stakes raise from escape to survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Phoebe is captured and tortured by Yates. Mike is cornered, weaponless, and separated from the only person who matters to him. His worst fear—losing Phoebe—is realized. The mission seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mike infiltrates the CIA base, unleashes his full abilities without hesitation or apology. He defeats Laugher, neutralizes Yates' operation, and rescues Phoebe. Lasseter exposes Yates' illegal program, turning the bureaucracy against him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
American Ultra's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping American Ultra against these established plot points, we can identify how Nima Nourizadeh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish American Ultra within the action genre.
Nima Nourizadeh's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Nima Nourizadeh films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. American Ultra represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Nima Nourizadeh filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Nima Nourizadeh analyses, see Project X.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mike Howell, a stoner cashier at a small-town convenience store, lives a simple life with his girlfriend Phoebe, suffering from anxiety and panic attacks that prevent him from leaving town.
Theme
Phoebe tells Mike he's "more than he thinks he is," establishing the theme of hidden potential and self-worth beyond one's perceived limitations.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mike's mundane existence in Liman, West Virginia: his dead-end job, creative aspirations (comic book about Apollo Ape), loving relationship with Phoebe, and debilitating anxiety. CIA Agent Lasseter attempts to stop termination of Operation Wiseman.
Disruption
Lasseter "activates" Mike with a coded phrase in the convenience store parking lot. Though he doesn't consciously understand it, his dormant training awakens when two assassins attack him that night.
Resistance
Mike instinctively kills the assassins using improvised weapons (spoons, dustpan), bewildering himself. He struggles to understand what happened while more CIA assets converge on the town. He confides in Phoebe, unsure whether to run or stay.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mike is arrested by the local police (actually CIA operation). He chooses to trust Phoebe completely, entering a world of violence and conspiracy he doesn't understand but must navigate to survive.
Premise
The "fun and games" of a stoner-turned-killing-machine: Mike and Phoebe fight off waves of assassins and tactical teams using Mike's instinctive combat skills combined with improvised weapons and his local knowledge. Over-the-top action set pieces deliver the premise.
Midpoint
Adrian Yates, the CIA antagonist, escalates by deploying Laugher, another Wiseman asset and Mike's equal. The town is fully militarized. What seemed manageable becomes a siege. Stakes raise from escape to survival.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies as Mike and Phoebe are hunted through the town. Laugher proves a formidable opponent. Mike's mental state deteriorates as he learns more about his past life as a programmed killer. The safe zones shrink.
Collapse
Phoebe is captured and tortured by Yates. Mike is cornered, weaponless, and separated from the only person who matters to him. His worst fear—losing Phoebe—is realized. The mission seems lost.
Crisis
Mike confronts the darkest truth: he's a weapon, not a person. Everything was a lie. His identity crisis deepens. In his lowest moment, he must choose between accepting what he was made to be or defining himself by what he chooses to be.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Mike infiltrates the CIA base, unleashes his full abilities without hesitation or apology. He defeats Laugher, neutralizes Yates' operation, and rescues Phoebe. Lasseter exposes Yates' illegal program, turning the bureaucracy against him.